Beijing, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Brazil, Argentina and other South American countries jointly called on Venezuela and Guyana on December 7 to resolve the dispute over the sovereignty of the Ethiopian region in a peaceful manner and refrain from unilateral actions.
On the same day, Venezuela called the joint military exercises between the United States and Guyana Xi a "provocation."
On 7 December, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Lula of Brazil addressed the 63rd Summit of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Tiancong.
Brazil is ready to preside over the negotiations.
Brazil's Luis Inácio Lula da Silva expressed "growing concern" about the tension between Venezuela and Guyana at the Mercosur summit opened in Rio de Janeiro on the 7th.
If there's one thing we don't want in South America, it's war. Lula said that the development of South American countries must be based on peace.
Mercosur is an organization for economic integration in Latin America. The summit issued a statement on the same day, urging Venezuela and Guyana to use dialogue to resolve their disputes peacefully and avoid "unilateral actions and measures that could exacerbate tensions."
The joint statement was signed by MERCOSUR member States Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, which participated in the summit. Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru were among the associated MERCOSUR countries.
Lula said Brazil is willing to host an international conference to mediate the dispute between Venezuela and Guyana. He also proposed that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) intervene in the mediation. Venezuela and Guyana are members of this regional organization.
The Brazilian military announced on the 6th that it would send additional troops to Roraima, which borders Venezuela and Guyana in the north.
Vehicles drive on Bolivar Avenue in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, March 15, 2019. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Sargodo).
Both parties agree to maintain communication.
The Essequibo region is rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, minerals, etc. Venezuela and Guyana have long been at odds over sovereignty over the region. Venezuela held a referendum on the 3rd, and 95% of voters supported the claim to sovereignty over the Essequibo region. Although the result of this referendum is not legally binding, Venezuela ** proposed legislation on the 5th to include the Essequibo region in its territory.
Guyana** Irfan Ali made a nationally televised speech on the evening of the 5th, ** Venezuela's move poses a "direct threat" to Guyana, announced that the Guyana's army was on alert, and said that he was in contact with the United States and other partners.
According to the statement issued by Venezuela**, Venezuelan *** Minister Iván Hill was invited to discuss this territorial dispute with Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Toddten** on the 6th, and agreed to "keep the channels of communication open".
A Bell 412EPI of the Guyana Air Force crashed in the Essequibo area on the 6th, killing five of the seven crew members and injuring two. The weather was bad at the time of the incident. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Omar Khan, said that five senior officers were flying in this *** to inspect the border garrison. However, Guyana's military said there was "no information" that Venezuela was involved.
Maduro, Venezuela**, speaks at the 6th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Mexico City, Mexico, September 18, 2021. Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Venezuelan News Agency).
The United States and Gauge held a joint Xi.
The United States** issued a statement through the embassy in Guyana, announcing that the US Southern Command and the Guyana Defense Force launched a "flight operation" "in Guyana" on the 7th. The joint Xi was aimed at "strengthening security partnerships" and was part of "routine engagement."
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López on the same day called the joint exercise a "regrettable provocation" on Xi the social media platform X, which was beneficial to the business of US oil giant ExxonMobil in Guyana and "took another step in the wrong direction".
He also wrote: "We will not abandon future operations to regain Essequibo. ”
The United States and Guyana have maintained a military partnership since 2022. Venezuela** Nicolás Maduro earlier this week identified possible U.S. military aid to Guyana.
John Kirby, spokesman for the U.S. committee, urged Venezuela and Guyana to resolve their territorial dispute through diplomatic means on the 7th, saying that the United States does not want to see a "fight". Asked by a reporter how much the United States would support Guyana, Kirby said he didn't plan to "speculate on that kind of thing."
At the request of Guyana, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency closed-door meeting on the current situation on the 8th Eastern Time. (Hu Ruoyu).